AMY GRAFF decided to use the LANCE ARMSTRONG debacle as a chance to talk to her kids about the “tough-to-talk-about” issues.

“What’s doping?” a tiny voice asked from the backseat of the car.

The question caught me off guard. I was completely absorbed by an NPR “All Things Considered” segment about USADA releasing over 200 pages of material proving beyond doubt that Lance Armstrong, the world’s most famous cyclist, was a cheater and a liar.

USADA Chief Executive Travis Tygart said the cyclist and his U.S.Postal Service teammates led “the most sophisticated, professionalized and successful doping program that sport has ever seen.”

The detailed testimonies coming from 11 of Armstrong’s former teammates were staggering, even to those who’ve long suspected Armstrong’s guilt. This seemingly invincible powerhouse who’d outwitted drug tests for numerous years was getting caught. For a moment, I forgot about the 8-year-old sucking on a yogurt drink in the back.

As I was taking all of this in, I stopped to think about whether to answer the question from my son. Does an 8-year-old need to know about doping? I quickly decided yes when I realized that there’s a great lesson in Mr. Armstrong’s story of deceit. As parents we try to teach our children the consequences of cheating and lying and we often find ourselves providing lame, unconvincing examples. “If you steal a cookie from the cookie jar and your mom catches you…well…then…”

Here was an epic story of deception. Here was a guy who’d obtained great fame and fortune, but because he was dishonest, his kingdom came tumbling down.”

Read the full article right HERE. (SFgate.com)